DuPont rejigs leadership in India

Science and engineering products firm, DuPont today said Rajeev Vaidya has been appointed as the new President (South Asia).

The appointment will be effective from December 15, 2011. Vaidya takes over from Balvinder S Kalsi, who will serve DuPont Headquarters in Wilmington as a leader in corporate strategy. Kalsi had been leading DuPont in South Asia, including India, for the last six years.

"Under Balvinder's leadership, DuPont India emerged as one of the fastest growing strategic markets for DuPont globally. Rajeev brings in a wealth of experience," DuPont Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation Officer Tom Connelly said in a statement.

Vaidya joined DuPont in 1985 and has held various positions in the Asia Pacific, including that of regional leader for the DuPont Titanium technologies and most recently that of regional business leader for DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts.

"The growth opportunities in India are big and span many sectors including agriculture, food, alternative energy, transportation, construction, safety and protection," Rajeev Vaidya said.

In the last six years, DuPont India tripled its sales revenues to nearly Rs 5,200 crore (approximately $1 billion). The key milestones under Kalsi's leadership include the launch of the DuPont India Innovation Centre at Pune this year, the opening of DuPont Knowledge Center and the DuPont Services Center in Hyderabad in 2008, and expanding into the markets of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

DuPont India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wilmington, Delaware, US-based E I du Pont de Nemours and Company.